Blames overdependence on Kohli for India's woes

Pakistan almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against India in the first Twenty20 international in Bangalore on Tuesday, according to an Indian cricket expert Boria Majumdar.

Boria Majumdar

Asked whether India snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, Majumdar said: "No, it was almost the other way round."

"After scoring 133 you don't win. Thanks to Bhuvaneshwar Kumar's sensational debut India had a whiff. But it was always going to Pakistan's game after an appalling Indian batting performance," said Majumdar in an exclusive interview with Emirates 24|7.

Pakistan successfully chased down the modest target of 134 despite tottering at 12-3 after three overs.

Majumdar, the Sports Expert at Times Now Indian television channel, flayed the Indian batting as "ridiculous" for failing to capitalise on a flying start given by openers Gautam Gambhir and Ajankya Rahane who posted 77 runs in 11 overs.

"Ridiculous batting. When was the last time the captain won India a match? Against Saeed Ajmal the likes of (Suresh) Raina were never comfortable. The batting is overdependent on Virat and unless he fires the batting looks mediocre," he said raising concerns about India's brittle middle order.

Skipper MS Dhoni and Suresh were both bowled by Pakistan's leading spinner Ajmal.

But it was Kohli's departure in the 15th over which triggered the collapse which saw India lose their last eight wickets for the addition of just 30 runs in six overs.

On the positive side, Bhuvneshwar Kumar made a dream debut for India although bowling is still India's Achilles Heel.

"Yes he did and the Umar Akmal delivery was the ball of the match for sure. Getting the ball to move both ways is a great skill but it will now be important because the Pakistani's will watch his footage and try and work him out," pointed out Majumdar who is General Editor, Sport in the Global Society, Contemporary Perspectives (Routledge).

Asked whether dropping Ravichandran Ashwin was justified, he said: "It was foolish to say the least. You are playing 7 batsmen, why Jadeja at 8? And Jadeja is never going to be in Ashwin's class as a bowler. Had Ashwin played India may have won the match because he could have bowled a tight over or two that Yuvraj and Jadeja failed to do."

He also criticised Dhoni's reliance on part time bowlers and his decision to give Jadeja the last over.

"As I said Jadeja shouldn't have played especially when you are playing 7 batsmen. If you have to play him, play him at 7 with Ashwin at 8. But he isn't a specialist spinner and there's no reason to prefer him over Ashwin," he added.

Shoaib Malik slammed two sixes of Jadeja, including the winning hit in the last over. Yuvraj and Kohli also went for plenty without taking a wicket.

The second Twenty20 match takes place at Ahmedadabad on Friday December 28.